The Christmas Girlfriend Read online

  Nellie smiled. “You think?”

  Zoey nodded. “I know it.”

  Mike and Zoey stood there for a bit as Nellie went on her way. Neither of them said much.

  “That was great,” Zoey said. “Perfect.”

  Mike put his hand out. “Want to walk back? I’m tired.”

  She took his hand, and they found themselves walking, just like his parents, back to the house.

  Mike couldn’t explain what had happened tonight. This morning, he’d felt chastised for trying to kiss her, for wanting to be with her; after that song, all kinds of other things were going off in his mind “Was that song for me?” he asked as they stood outside of his parents’ door. It felt strange that he was dropping her off at his house.

  Her eyes met his. They were usually so guarded and feisty. Now they were vulnerable. “Did you like it?” she asked.

  Gently, Mike put his hand on her cheek. The electricity between them ratcheted up a notch when he said, “I loved it. You’re really good.”

  She smiled. “For so long, I’ve wondered if I’m good enough, especially after Josh died. I’ve been so alone. I don’t show people my singing. I just do it.”

  He trailed a finger down the side of her face. He didn’t know if he loved or hated how much he was falling for her.

  Every part of him wanted to lean in, but he didn’t want to upset her like this morning. His hand brushed through her hair and he took out the barrette that was holding it in place. “Will you sing it for me again? Right here. Right now.”

  The soft moonlight kissed her pale skin. She’d accentuated her eyes with makeup, and she smelled like flowers.

  “Please, even just the chorus?” He loved it, and he wanted more of it.

  “A new verse, Falling with You,” she whispered, before quietly singing. “You take my hand, and we jump so high, and I knew we always would … falling back to here. I knew I always would … want to be falling with you.”

  He couldn’t stop himself. “I have to kiss you, Zoey,” he whispered right above her lips. “I have to.”

  For a moment, their breath mingled, and she didn’t speak. She just lifted her head, and her lips met his, so soft and tender and amazing.

  Mike put one hand around her waist. They both had coats on, but he could feel her body heat. He needed this woman in so many ways. He’d never really needed a woman before. Sure, they were fun. He liked dating, hanging out with women. He’d seen the way his father looked at his mom, and he’d never felt that. It was part of the reason he’d broken things off with Nellie a long time ago. He hadn’t needed her.

  Now, he deepened the kiss and heard her sigh in the back of her throat. He tightened his grip around her, pulling her closer.

  Her hands were in his hair. “Mike,” she whispered. “Mike. I shouldn’t be kissing you. I shouldn’t even like kissing you so much.”

  He trailed kisses down her jawline and to her neck, never wanting to stop, feeling like she was some kind of drug he’d only just discovered and he had to have more of.

  “Mike.” She tugged back, putting her hands against his shoulders so that he stared into those beautiful eyes. Unlike this morning on the four-wheeler, she wasn’t crying. In fact, she laughed. “Mike, I have to get to bed.”

  He took off the glove on her right hand and carefully kissed the back of it. As he stared up into her eyes, he said, “Zoey, I just want you to know that no matter how this started out, it’s not fake to me anymore.”

  Chapter 17

  Christmas morning was the kind that Zoey had always pictured waking up to in a Lifetime movie. The smell of cinnamon rolls and bacon wafted through the air. She turned in bed and saw it was only seven in the morning.

  She remembered the night before and the singing. The applause at the wedding had been nice, but what she really liked was the way Mike had looked at her. It was the same admiration Josh used to give her.

  Was it stupid that she craved that look? That she wanted to be that person for him?

  She turned the other way in bed, thinking of singing for them. For him. Truth be told, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind all night. The man was fine with his six-one frame and his easy way. People couldn’t help but love him. When her eyes had met his, she’d felt like that song had been waiting for him. For them.

  She had developed feelings for this guy that she hadn’t banked on. When she danced with him, she could see herself dancing with him for the rest of her life. Mike wasn’t like most guys she knew. Not that she knew a lot of guys anyway. After everything she’d been through, could this be real?

  After a few minutes of lounging in bed, she pulled the sheets back and hit the shower. It felt good to wash the wedding hair out. His parents had to be just exhausted. She needed to get down to help them.

  As she descended the stairs, she noted the whole house was lit up. She walked into the kitchen to find Mike’s mom and dad standing at the sink, both in robes and slippers, looking out at the sheets of snow. More snow was falling. His father held a coffee cup, but his other arm was wrapped around his mother’s waist. They looked like they were everything to each other.

  Zoey’s heart grew heavy. Was this who she could have been with Josh?

  No. Josh was rougher around the edges. Sure, he tried to be good to her, but they’d both been so young. It was strange, because all she could think about was her and Mike, standing in their kitchen, looking out at their property.

  The door to the house flew open, and Mike stumbled in, wearing boots, a robe, shorts, and a T-shirt. He smiled at them. “Good morning, family.”

  She laughed, and his parents turned. “Oh, Ann, I didn’t realize that you were up.” His mom picked up a plate. “We just got some breakfast cooked. You’re welcome to help yourself.”

  Zoey felt embarrassed, like she’d been spying on them. “Sorry, I just … you two looked so cozy standing there, and … Thanks.” She took the plate.

  His mother and father just smiled, and they all piled their plates with eggs, toast, bacon, and hash browns.

  Mike touched her hand. “Morning.” His voice was husky.

  She turned to him and smiled. “Morning to you.”

  After everyone had eaten, his mother motioned them in by the Christmas tree.

  Zoey didn’t know what was happening, but she went along with it.

  They sat, and Michael pulled out the Bible. “Ann, one of our traditions is that we read the Christmas story on Christmas day.”

  She nodded, trying to remember when she’d last read the Christmas story. “Sounds good.”

  Michael began reading. “Unto us was born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which was Christ the Lord.”

  He passed the big family Bible around the room, and all of them took turns reading. Zoey read her verses whenever it was her turn.

  Afterward, Michael put down his plate and moved to the tree. “Okay, time to open presents.”

  Zoey hadn’t expected to open any, but she found four resting at her feet. “But I didn’t …”

  Mike put his hand over hers. “Sweetie, I told you I would do the shopping for everyone, remember?”

  She was stunned to see that Mike had wrapped presents and put both of their names on them.

  Mike’s mother nodded to the presents. “Okay, let’s all open. Then we’ll all hug and kiss.”

  Zoey opened each present, starting with a soft blue cashmere sweater from his mother. “Thank you, Janet.”

  Mike’s mom winked at her. “I thought it would be great for your complexion.”

  It startled her how these people thought of her like she was part of them. Guilt filled her. She’d been looking at this whole thing like a job. She’d forgotten how good it felt to have someone care about her and have a family.

  She opened the next one, a tire pressure checker from his father and a pair of toenail clippers.

  Mike laughed when she opened them. “Dad likes to give practical things.”

  She grin
ned at Michael. “Thank you.”

  He pointed at her. “You always need a good pair of toe clippers.”

  Mike snatched a small envelope from in front of her before she could even register it. “Later,” he said, pointing to a rectangular package.

  She wouldn’t lie; it made her nervous. She opened it, and it was the picture of Snow Valley she’d admired in his boxing studio. “I can’t …”

  “Shh.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “It’s yours. To remember your Snow Valley Christmas.” He smiled and put the envelope in her hand. “Ya know what? I don’t care if my parents see it. Why don’t you open it?”

  Nervous flutters ran through her. When she ripped off the paper, she was surprised to see a ticket from Billings to Salt Lake City for the twenty-seventh. Tears sprang to her eyes. “What?” She knew it had to cost a couple hundred dollars.

  “I believe in you, and I want you to fly there, not drive.”

  Before she knew what happened, she launched herself across the presents and into his arms. She was so overwhelmed that all she could do was hold him. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear.

  He gently pressed his lips to hers. “You will soar. I know it.”

  “Ann, will you tell us what he got you?”

  Zoey returned to where she’d been sitting, wiping the tears from her cheeks. There couldn’t be any harm in telling them, could there? “I … I’ve been wanting to try out for The Voice, and the tryout is December twenty-seventh. Mike bought me an airline ticket from Billings.”

  His mother laughed. “That’s amazing.”

  His dad grinned. “You’re going to be great.”

  Mike’s mom held out her hands. “Can we link up? I want you all to know how grateful I am for my Savior, Jesus Christ.” They linked hands. Janet cleared her throat. “I’m so thankful for His love and atonement. I am so grateful for my life.” She wiped a tear.

  Michael took her hand and smiled at her before smiling at Mike and Zoey. “Ann, I loved your song last night, and as I thought about why I loved it so much, I knew it reminded me of that whole process of falling for Mike’s mom. Which is what you want, right? True love?”

  Zoey felt a bit heady, but she thought of how she’d written it right after the snowmobile. Was she starting to fall for Mike? She nodded. “Thank you for having me.”

  Mike’s dad held his wife’s hand. “I want you all to know how grateful I am for my wife. I don’t know how much Mike has told you, Ann, but she fought cancer, almost died from it.”

  His mom leaned into him, holding his hand tighter. “Shh.”

  His dad had tears in his eyes. “At the time, we weren’t married. I had left before graduation and gone on to school. There were lots of things that happened. I thought she was married and happy for a lot of years.”

  There was silence, and his parents just looked into each other’s eyes like they could see each other’s souls.

  Mike took her hand. “Lacey was my mom’s first child, with her first husband.”

  It hit Zoey like a ton of bricks. “What?” They all looked so together. She hadn’t noticed a different father around. She thought of how Lacey had hugged her father like he was life itself at the wedding yesterday.

  His mother nodded. “Her father passed away a few years ago, but it was a dark time in my life, and with the cancer, it was really hard. For so many years, I didn’t know if I would get to see tomorrow.” She snuggled into his dad’s side.

  Zoey was amazed at Mike’s parents, this new information, and this family in general. They were impressive.

  Mike squeezed her hand. “The hospital here has a tree-lighting ceremony every year on Christmas day. It’s later tonight. We like to go and just feel grateful that we’re here.”

  His mother smiled at her through tears. “Each day is so precious. Each day we get to be alive, have each other.” She wiped her eyes again. “Getting to see your daughter get married is really special.”

  “Of course,” Zoey said.

  His father reached out and gave her hand a brief squeeze. “We’re so happy you joined us this year, Ann. Family is important to us, and—” He broke off, looking at Mike, then back to his wife. “Well, we’re thinking that maybe you’ll be part of ours one day.”

  Zoey thought of that first year she’d been married, and remembered how she and Josh had sat around a little tree and shared so many hopes and dreams. Here in this setting, everything she and Mike had been doing felt so wrong. She was lying. They were lying to his family, and it felt way too intense. She turned to Mike, who could tell she was having a freak-out.

  Chapter 18

  Mike walked into Grandpa’s house later Christmas afternoon, carrying a pile of presents, and kissed the old guy on the cheek. “Well, heck,” Grandpa muttered as he took a couple of presents out of their hands and quickly arranged them around the Christmas tree. “Welcome, welcome.”

  It was a tradition. They went to Grandpa’s house to open presents with him in the afternoon. Later, they would go to his mom’s parents’ house a bit down the road.

  Grandpa kissed him on the cheek, then went the whole line down, including Zoey. Grandpa had a cracker tray, and he always put out beef jerky he’d smoked himself. His house was a cabin with deer heads on the walls. Very rustic, but Mike had spent a lot of time here when he was growing up.

  They sat around the tree and opened the gifts. Grandpa had gotten him a knife, and Mike loved it. It was designed to look like a shark, and Mike knew he probably got it at one of the expos that came around during October and November. “Thanks, Grandpa.”

  “I got it for when you finally realize you’re coming back here and not staying in that hoity-toity city.”

  Mike’s father said, “Dad, we’ve talked about this. Mike is at Harvard. He is going to have an MBA from Harvard. That’s pretty impressive.”

  Grandpa snorted. “It’s more impressive to come home and help his grandpa muck out his horse stalls.”

  His parents gave a polite laugh, but Mike could tell his father wanted to kill him.

  His mother handed Grandpa a present. “I want you to use this.”

  Grandpa hesitated, then opened the package—a new iPhone. “Oh my, what am I going to do with this?” Grandpa asked with a disgusted tone.

  Mike’s dad put a hand on Grandpa’s shoulder. “You’re going to use it, old man. When you’re out in the fields by yourself, you’re going to answer it so we don’t worry about you.”

  His mother nodded. “At least have your locator on so we can track you.”

  Mike’s dad turned to Zoey. “We had an incident a couple of months ago.”

  “We wouldn’t have if I had my grandson home to help me,” Grandpa grumbled.

  Mike frowned, wishing he’d heard about this incident. “Let me see it, Grandpa. I’ll get it set up for you.”

  Grandpa surrendered it to Mike and turned to Zoey. “I have a present for you.” He picked up a small box beneath the tree. “I thought you might like it.”

  She opened it and gasped. Reverently, she pulled out a silver chain with blue topaz in the shape of a flying eagle. “No, I couldn’t take this.”

  Grandpa ignored her. “Put it on.”

  Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I’m sorry, but I really couldn’t.”

  Grandpa pointed at her with the knife he held. It was Mike’s new knife. He had taken it to sharpen. “Now listen: that necklace was Mike’s grandmother’s. It’s one I got for her one time when I was stationed in Colorado. The Native Americans there sell this topaz jewelry.” He winked at Zoey. “I know you’re keen on the Native Americans because of your no-picture policy, but after hearing that song last night … well, darling, I knew you were meant to fly. To sing. To soar with that talent. That eagle is a symbol of what you’ll do.”

  Now tears did fall down her cheeks.

  “Let’s hear something, sweetie.”

  Mike couldn’t decipher how Zoey was feeling. She held the necklace like it was sacr
ed.

  Grandpa stuck his chin out. “It’s yours and I don’t want to hear any argument about it.”

  Her eyes met Mike’s, and he nodded, knowing Grandpa wouldn’t back down.

  Zoey looked back at Grandpa with tears in her eyes. “Thank you.” She looked at his parents too, mystified, and laid her hand over Mike’s. “Thank all of you for making me feel like I belong here. I want you to know the song I sang yesterday was really written because of the way I met your son. He really did save me from a dark place.” Her lip turned up. “The funny thing is, I haven’t been able to write in a long time. Being here with you all, the words just keep coming.”

  “Then sing them for us,” Grandpa insisted again.

  She closed her eyes, and Mike’s heart raced. The woman was so pretty. Right now, she wore the new blue sweater his mother had given her and a simple pair of jeans, but he could honestly say she was the prettiest woman he’d ever met.

  “It wasn’t like I was really lonely. Not with all I had to do. But when you came into my life, I knew I would never be the same.

  “It wasn’t like I was really looking. It seemed the past always got in the way, but you took my hand and wouldn’t let me refuse. You took my hand, and then all I knew was that …

  “I wanted this. I want it now. I wanted you in my life. I wanted this. I wanted now. I want you in my life. It’s not the perfect love story because the complications go for miles. But I want this. I want you now. And I want you in my life.”

  “At times the path’s been hard to see. There’re so many rights and wrongs—how can it be? But you’re just right there, waiting for me to see.

  “I want this. I want it now. I want you in my life. And I think this time, it might be our chance, to make it all work out.

  “And I want you to know no matter what happens, you’ve changed me.

  “You’ve changed me, and I want this.”

  Overwhelmed by the purity of this woman, by her words, he couldn’t stop himself from closing the gap between them and pressing his lips to hers.

  At first, she tried to stop him, but then she gave in and kissed him back.